In this workshop, you will practice polite Korean phrases for asking a stranger for help and for asking whether someone can speak English. You will hear each native line, learn what it means in English, and then use it in short, realistic exchanges. The practice moves from guided repetition to choosing the right reply, and finally to recalling the lines with the correct roles. You can play both roles with the audio, and the answer checks and self-checks are visible so you can confirm your choices.
Asking a Stranger for Help
When you need help from someone you do not know, a polite opening helps. The line «죄송하지만, 도와주시겠어요?» means 'Excuse me, could you help me?' and is a very polite request for help. Use it with strangers or in formal settings. If you are lost, you can add a clear statement before the request. The line «길을 잃었어요. 도와주실 수 있나요?» means 'I'm lost. Could you help me?' and combines a problem with a soft request for assistance. Notice that both lines use polite endings, so they fit situations where you are speaking to someone you do not know. Practice saying each line slowly, then at a natural speed. Keep your tone calm and friendly.
Asking If Someone Speaks English
Sometimes you need to check whether the person you are asking can speak English. The line «영어 하실 수 있어요?» means 'Can you speak English?' and is polite and common with strangers or staff. The honorific form makes it suitable for someone older or in a service role. The line «영어 할 수 있어요?» also means 'Can you speak English?' but is less honorific and fits friends or people of similar age. It is still polite but not formal. Choose «영어 하실 수 있어요?» when you want to be more careful and respectful, and choose «영어 할 수 있어요?» when the situation is casual. Both questions are useful, but the polite form is safer with strangers.
A Short Exchange: Getting Help
In a short exchange, one person asks for a moment, and the other agrees. The line «죄송하지만, 잠깐 시간 괜찮으세요?» means 'Excuse me, do you have a moment?' and is a polite way to begin. The reply «네, 괜찮아요. 무슨 일이세요?» means 'Yes, I do. What's the matter?' and invites you to explain. Then you can state your problem and ask about English. The line «길을 잃었어요. 영어 하실 수 있어요?» means 'I'm lost. Can you speak English?' and combines the problem with the polite English question. The reply «네, 조금 할 수 있어요. 어디를 찾으세요?» means 'Yes, I can speak a little. What are you looking for?' and shows that the other person is willing to help. Practice this exchange by playing both roles. First, read the lines aloud. Then, try to remember your role without looking.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
영어 하실 수 있어요?
Can you speak English?
yeong-eo ha-sil su i-sseo-yo?
영어 할 수 있어요?
Can you speak English?
yeong-eo hal su i-sseo-yo?
죄송하지만, 도와주시겠어요?
Excuse me, could you help me?
joe-song-ha-ji-man, do-wa-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
길을 잃었어요. 도와주실 수 있나요?
I'm lost. Could you help me?
gil-eul i-reo-sseo-yo. do-wa-ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
죄송하지만, 잠깐 시간 괜찮으세요?
Excuse me, do you have a moment?네, 괜찮아요. 무슨 일이세요?
Yes, I do. What's the matter?길을 잃었어요. 영어 하실 수 있어요?
I'm lost. Can you speak English?네, 조금 할 수 있어요. 어디를 찾으세요?
Yes, I can speak a little. What are you looking for?Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Ask for Help
Imagine you are a visitor in a Korean city and you are lost. You see a staff member at a station. You want to ask for help politely.
Your task: Listen to «죄송하지만, 도와주시겠어요?» and repeat it aloud. Then listen to «길을 잃었어요. 도와주실 수 있나요?» and repeat it aloud. After that, say both lines in order without the audio, using a calm and polite tone.
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Right Response
You have just asked a stranger for help. The stranger replies with «네, 괜찮아요. 무슨 일이세요?». You need to understand what they said and choose what to do next.
Your task: Listen to «네, 괜찮아요. 무슨 일이세요?». The preceding question asks whether the person has a moment. Does the reply say they are available and ask what is wrong, or say they are unavailable? Then listen to «네, 조금 할 수 있어요. 어디를 찾으세요?». Does it say the person can speak a little English, or none? Answer in English, then repeat both recorded replies.
Role Recall: Play Both Sides
You will now recall the short exchange between two people. One person asks for a moment and then asks about English. The other person agrees and offers help.
Your task: First, play the role of the person who asks for help. Say the lines «죄송하지만, 잠깐 시간 괜찮으세요?» and «길을 잃었어요. 영어 하실 수 있어요?» aloud from memory. Then, play the role of the person who replies. Say the lines «네, 괜찮아요. 무슨 일이세요?» and «네, 조금 할 수 있어요. 어디를 찾으세요?» aloud from memory. Do not look at the text until you have tried both roles.
Common questions
When should I use the polite English question instead of the casual one?
Use the honorific form «영어 하실 수 있어요?» with strangers, staff, or someone older. Use the less honorific form «영어 할 수 있어요?» with friends or people of similar age. Both are polite, but the honorific form is safer when you are not sure.
What should I say first if I am lost and need help?
You can start with a polite request like «죄송하지만, 도와주시겠어요?» or state your problem first with «길을 잃었어요. 도와주실 수 있나요?». Both are polite. If you want to ask for a moment before explaining, use «죄송하지만, 잠깐 시간 괜찮으세요?». Then you can ask about English with «길을 잃었어요. 영어 하실 수 있어요?».
Sources and further reading
- korean: asking for help politelyChecked September 2026
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